Understanding several factors contributing to a heart attack can help you be alert. Although anyone can suffer the complication, some people are unfortunate to be at greater risk than others. The cardiovascular physician Frisco, TX specialists, help patients understand their heart attack risks early to take the necessary measures. Some factors like age, gender, and genetics can be out of your hands, but there are other factors you can control. Focusing on what you can control and doing what you can to minimize your risks is crucial. The following are common heart attack risks that are manageable.
High Cholesterol Levels
It is important to have your cholesterol levels screened often to keep them at bay. High cholesterol levels in your blood increase your risk for cardiac complications like coronary artery disease, increasing your chances of a heart attack. Things can escalate faster if other factors like sex, age, and genetics are present. Normal blood cholesterol levels screening allows your doctor to recommend effective ways to regulate the levels to lower your chances of a heart attack.
Smoking
Smokers are more likely to develop a heart attack than nonsmokers. You are more likely to develop coronary heart disease due to tobacco smoking. Remember that smoking has more detrimental effects on your overall health and only increases your chances of developing a heart attack. Fortunately, you can quit smoking and minimize your heart attack risks. Although it might be difficult to give way to the behavior, work with your medical professionals to find a way to quit smoking. It is for the best.
High Blood Pressure
The central function of your heart is to pump blood throughout your body. High blood pressure makes your heart overworked and may make your heart muscles stiffer and thicker. Your heart can malfunction and may result in a heart attack, among many other complications. Your chances of getting a heart attack are even more when other risk factors are present. The best part is that you can bring down your blood pressure with the help of your doctor.
Overweight and Obesity
Carrying extra weight is detrimental to your overall well-being and your cardiovascular health. Being obese or overweight significantly increases your chances of developing a heart attack such that you can get complications even without other factors. Obesity is associated with multiple cardiovascular complications related to a heart attack. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to shed extra pounds off your body and achieve a healthy weight.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Your lifestyle choices can increase your chances of developing a heart attack. Physical inactivity elevates your risks of coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular complications associated with a heart attack. But you can change that and choose an active life through regular moderate activities and exercises. Physical activity can help lower other risk factors like cholesterol, blood pressure, and obesity.
Additional Factors
Stress, Alcohol consumption, and nutrition contribute to your chances of developing a heart attack. How you respond to stress can significantly increase your chances of a heart attack, and you better learn stress management. Alcohol consumption increases other factors like blood pressure and obesity. You better moderate your alcohol consumption. Also, it is crucial to talk with your doctor about a healthy heart diet to avoid eating foods that can affect other controllable factors like obesity, blood cholesterol, and blood pressure.
A heart attack is preventable. You first need to understand your risk factors to get started, especially those you can control. Get in touch with the Prime Heart and Vascular specialists for more information.